First building to have a safety elevator (lift)

According to Official Guinness Records,

On 23 March 1857 the world's earliest modern 'safety elevator' went into service at the Haughwout Department Store in New York City, USA. It was installed by Elisha Otis and was powered by a steam engine. Otis is widely credited with having advanced the development of the modern skyscraper by allowing buildings above five storeys to become practical for their occupants. Prior to his invention of the safety elevator, lifts were seen as unsafe.

For a complete list of 1857 records, please visit 1857 Guinness Records in United States.

Related Images

Other United States records that might interest you:

• First beauty contest
• Oldest electrical coding system still in use
• First general anaesthesia
• First selfie
• First documented horticultural show